KCrimini Report post Posted November 27, 2012 Hi, everyone. I love this forum and am so glad you all are here. My question is about getting a nice, light blue. The only way I've been able to accomplish this is by layering a diluted alcohol dye over a layer of white acrylic or oil paint. Yellows and light oranges, same. Obviously, the color of the leather itself is the factor here. What's the best solution you know? I always feel like the surface is unstable when I go for this layered thing. I don't have as easy of a time controlling the dye this way -- it tends to bleed -- and it's hard to polish and seal because a brisk rub changes it again. I also worry that when I sell my work, it might not hold up and I'm selling an inferior product. I love mixing colors and dying carvings, so I like to be as precise as possible as I learn this. Any advice will be much appreciated. K Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted November 27, 2012 K, I have had exactly the same experience as you have. Thin spray of dye over white acrylic. It's fragile and I've found the only way to protect it is to use an acrylic finish over the top, like resolene or an analog. I use an airbrush to apply both the dye and the finish as brushing leaves the color blotchy or with streaks, and finishing with a brush kills the whole thing. I also found that putting my project under an infra red heater lamp between steps makes everything a little easier to work with. I hope this helps! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KCrimini Report post Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks a lot! Looks like I'll have to settle with less than desirable results until I can get it together with an airbrush. I appreciate you taking the time to give me advice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted November 28, 2012 You can check here she has some free tips and DVD's on dyeing. http://wdstudio.net/foxart/main.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) I use light colors all the time on leather without the white paint. I use Angelus spirit dye but any dye you can dilute works, You take thin layers of dye ontop of eachouther until your happy with the resault. I paste a picture I have made in the past on scrap leather to make it visual :-) Edited November 29, 2012 by Tina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) Picture: What's up??? Can't get the picture up?? Edited November 29, 2012 by Tina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
